Aleksejs Ponakovs

Aleksejs Ponakovs

Nationality
Latvia
Latvia
GPI Rank 24
WSOP Bracelets 2
Total Live Earnings $20,418,864
The Hendon Mob Data provided by The Hendon Mob

Biography

Aleksejs Poankovs is a professional poker player hailing from Latvia. Ponakovs is a two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and is number one on the Latvian all-time money list.

Aleksejs Ponakovs Background

Ponakovs is a private man who rarely gives interviews to the poker media. Instead, he allows his poker to do the talking. Ponakovs has online poker results dating back to 2010 but rarely stepped into the live poker world until after the COVID-19 error. Ponakovs exploded onto the live poker scene in 2022 and has established himself as a feared and respected foe.

Several foreign-language websites hint at Ponakovs formerly playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) professionally before turning to poker.

Aleksejs Ponakovs Twitter

Ponakovs does not post on X/Twitter.

Aleksejs Ponakovs Instagram

Ponakovs has an Instagram account, but he rarely posts photos or videos.

Aleksejs Ponakovs YouTube

Ponakovs does not publish content on YouTube.

Aleksejs Ponakovs Poker History

Aleksejs Ponakovs started playing online poker at age 18, mostly only PokerStars, where he is known as "APonakov." Ponakovs has over $1.8 million in cashes at PokerStars, including victories in the $1,050 Thursday Thrill PKO ($43,153), and the Big $215 ($24,855).

Ponakovs' best online poker result stem from his time grinding at GGPoker, where he plays under his real name. Although Ponakovs has not displayed his GGPoker results, PokerNews knows he has won more than $4.5 million and profited to the tune of $1.8 million in the site's Super MILLION$ tournament alone.

Ponakovs' first documented live poker tournament result came in May 2011, and he only cashed in two dozen events between then and 2019. His best result during that period was a 48th place finish in the 2016 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague Main Event, which netted him €17,200.

Like many professional poker players, Ponakovs spent the COVID-19-related lockdowns playing poker online. He almost became a WSOP champion in August 2021 when he finished second to Arthur Conan in the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Heads-Up Online Championship for $279,700.

Later in that series, Ponakovs came out on top in the $7,777 No-Limit Hold'em Lucky 7s High Roller online at GGPoker for $432,491 and his first WSOP bracelet.

Ponakovs began playing Super High Roller events once live poker returned to normality, and he took to this realm like a duck to water. A fourth-place finish in the €100,000 Triton Poker Series Madrid in May 2022 earned Ponakovs a then-career-best €888,000.

A month later, Ponakovs became a two-time WSOP champion after taking down the $100,000 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller 8-Handed event at the 2022 WSOP. Ponakovs denied Phil Ivey his 11th career bracelet. The Latvian padded his bankroll with $1,897,363, his first seven-figure haul.

Upon returning to Europe after his scintillating 2022 WSOP, Ponakovs attended the EPT Barcelona festival. He reached two final tables in €25,000 and €50,000 buy-in high rollers, taking home a combined €830,340.

Ponakovs helped himself to another seven-figure prize when he finished sixth in a $200,000 buy-in event at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in northern Cyprus, namely $1,350,000.

The Latvian's incredible form continued throughout 2023, with another 13 cashes worth over $100,000, including a career-best $2,540,000 prize for a fourth-place finish in a $262,500 buy-in event at Triton Poker Super High Roller Series London.

In February 2024, Ponakovs finished third in the PokerStars EPT Paris Main Event for €574,850. To date, Ponakovs has over $14.9 million in live poker tournament earnings.

Is Aleksejs Ponakovs Good at Poker?

While stating who is or is not good at poker is subjective, most people would consider Aleksejs Ponakovs to be an elite-level poker tournament player. Ponakovs' results speak for themselves, and the fact he holds his own in Super High Roller events against the best players on the planet shows he is a top poker talent.

Aleksejs Ponakovs Top 5 Cashes/Poker Results

DateEventRankPrize
Aug 2023$262,500 Triton London4th$2,540,000
Jun 2022$100,000 WSOP High Roller1st$1,897,363
Sep 2022$200,000 Triton Cyrpus6th$1,350,000
Aug 2023$212,000 Triton London6th$970,000
May 2022€100,000 Triton Madrid4th€888,000

Wealth – What is Aleksejs Ponakovs' Net Worth?

Ponakovs has never revealed his net worth, nor is it estimated on any celebrity websites. However, considering Ponakovs has won over $20 million from online and live poker tournaments during his career and he lives in Lativa, which has a low cost of living, it is fair to assume he is doing more than OK for himself.

How Did Aleksejs Ponakovs Make His Money?

Again, Ponakovs' reluctance to speak to the poker media poses a challenge to uncovering how he made his money. That said, Ponakovs' first recorded tournament result is from 2010, when he was only 18, suggesting Ponakovs made all of his money through playing poker.

Aleksejs Ponakovs Family, Wife, and Children

Ponakovs keeps his personal life private, but a little sleuthing has uncovered some details about his love life.

Aleksejs Ponakovs' Wife – Is Aleksejs Ponakovs Married?

Aleksejs Ponakovs is married to Anastasia Ignatieva, a self-proclaimed "travel and style enthusiast." Anastasia Ignatieva's Instagram account reveals she and Ponakovs married in November 2022 at The Ritz Carlton in Tenerife.

Does Aleksejs Ponkaovs Have Children?

It does not appear that Ponakovs is a father.

Aleksejs Ponakovs Controversies

Aleksejs Ponakovs has not been involved in any controversies related to poker or otherwise. He is considered an upstanding and respected member of the poker community.

Aleksejs Ponakovs FAQs

Is Aleksejs Ponakovs married?

Social media posts suggest Aleksejs Ponakovs and Anastasia Ignatieva married in November 2022 in Tenerife.

Has Aleksejs Ponakovs won a WSOP Bracelet?

Ponakovs has two WSOP bracelets. He won the first online at GGPoker in August 2021 and his second in Las Vegas in 2023.

Is Aleksejs Ponakovs a sponsored pro?

Surprisingly, despite his incredible results, Aleksejs Ponakovs does not have an online poker sponsor.

Did Aleksejs Ponakovs Play eSports Professionally?

It is thought Ponakovs was a talented CS:GO player before he turned to professional poker.

What is Aleksejs Ponakovs' largest tournament cash?

In August 2023, Ponakovs collected $2,540,000 to finish fourth in the $262,000 buy-in Triton Poker Super High Roller Series London.

PokerNews Covered Events

Event Place Prize
2024 PokerStars EPT Cyprus
$10,300 EPT High Roller
51st $20,100
2024 PokerStars EPT Cyprus
$25,000 SHR Warm Up
7th $68,400
2024 PokerStars EPT Cyprus
$20,000 NL Hold'em
3rd $139,900
2024 PokerStars EPT Cyprus
$10,200 Mystery Bounty
2nd $64,000
2024 World Series of Poker
Event #81: $10,000 WSOP Main Event World Championship
120th $100,000
2024 World Series of Poker
Event #66: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship (8-Handed)
92nd $20,099
2024 World Series of Poker
Event #57: $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold'em (8-Handed)
36th $16,527
2024 World Series of Poker
Event #47: $100,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em
5th $681,796
2024 World Series of Poker
Event #39: $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em (8-Handed)
22nd $101,724
2024 World Series of Poker
Event #31: $3,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em
136th $6,015
2024 PokerStars EPT Paris
€5,300 EPT Main Event
3rd €574,850
2023 WSOP Paradise
Event #3: $25,000 GGMillion$ High Rollers Championship
23rd $90,700
2023 PokerStars EPT Cyprus
$25,000 NL Hold'em V
1st $216,810
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #84: $50,000 High Roller
22nd $88,506
2023 World Series of Poker
Online Event #13: $5,300 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller Championship
4th $150,144
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #35: $10,000 Secret Bounty
83rd $10,858
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #16: $25,000 High Roller (8-Handed)
10th $96,986
2023 PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo
€5,300 EPT Main Event
143rd €9,850
2023 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure
$100,000 7-Handed
3rd $698,800
2022 PokerStars EPT Prague
€25,000 NL Hold'em II
3rd €117,050
2022 PokerStars EPT Barcelona
€25,000 Single-Day High Roller II
6th €148,170
2022 PokerStars EPT Barcelona
€50,000 Single-Day High Roller II
3rd €436,100
2022 PokerStars EPT Barcelona
€50,000 Single-Day High Roller I
6th €186,040
2022 PokerStars EPT Barcelona
€25,000 Single-Day High Roller I
9th €60,030
2022 World Series of Poker
Tournament of Champions
53rd $3,500
2022 World Series of Poker
Event #87: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold'em
45th $11,388
2022 World Series of Poker
Event #42: $100,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em
1st $1,897,363
2021 World Series of Poker
WSOP.com (NV/NJ) Online Bracelet $7,777 Lucky 7’s No Limit Hold’em High Roller [1x Re-entry]
1st $432,491
2021 WPT World Online Championships
Event #7: $5,300 Main Event
21st $36,654
2021 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Event #32: $210 WSOP Bounty Double MILLION$ [Final Day], $2M GTD
17th $5,452
2021 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Event #15: $10,000 Heads Up NLHE Championship [No Late Reg, 256 Cap]
2nd $279,700
2021 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Event #11: $10,000 Super MILLION$ High Roller NLH, $5M GTD
15th $62,539
2021 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Event #6: $200 FLIP & GO NO-Limit Hold'em [Go Stage], $1M GTD
272nd $1,236
2021 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Event #7: $1,500 MILLIONAIRE MAKER NLH - $1M for 1st [Final Day], $5M GTD
276th $3,945
2021 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Event #2: $1,111 Caesars Cares Charity Event
78th $3,486
GGPoker Battle of Malta Online Main Event (€3M GTD)
Battle of Malta Online €550 GTD Main Event (€3M GTD)
38th €9,106
2021 GG Spring Festival
H-108: $10,300 Super MILLION$ [2-day event]
28th $25,470
2021 GG Spring Festival
H-106: $5,250 Bounty Hunters Main Event
23rd $8,808
2021 GG Spring Festival
H-84: $25,500 Super High Roller
12th $49,347
PokerStars SCOOP 2021
SCOOP-28-H: $1,050 NLHE [Progressive KO], $1M Gtd
3rd $67,443
PokerStars SCOOP 2021
SCOOP-04-M: $215 NLHE [Progressive KO, Sunday Million SE], $1.25M Gtd
14th $4,910
2021 partypoker MILLIONS Online
Main Event
80th $13,931
2021 GGPoker Super MILLION$ Week
Event #6: Super High Roller $25,500, $2.5M Gtd.
4th $292,207
2020 GGPoker WSOP Winter Online Circuit
WSOPC #7: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed Championship
7th $33,717
2020 GGPoker High Rollers Week
HRW 18: $10,300 Super MILLION$ Main Event, $5M GTD
8th $194,483
2020 PokerStars EPT Online
EPT Online 07: $2,100 NLHE [8-Max]
4th $26,653
PokerStars WCOOP 2020
WCOOP-72-H: $5,200 NLHE [8-Max, Main Event]
147th $14,557
PokerStars WCOOP 2020
WCOOP-75-H: $1,050 NLHE [8-Max, Progressive KO, Series Saver]
18th $4,395
PokerStars WCOOP 2020
WCOOP-63-H: $2,100 NLHE [8-Max, Progressive KO, Freezeout, Thursday Thrill SE]
34th $2,757
2020 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Event #77: $5,000 No Limit Hold'em Main Event, $25M GTD
65th $30,776
2020 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Event #76: $400 FORTY STACK No Limit Hold'em
167th $1,656
2020 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Event #70: $25,000 NLH POKER PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP, $10M GTD
4th $719,700
2020 WPT World Online Championships
Event #6: $3,200 Mix-Max Championship, $3m GTD
108th $6,900
2020 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Event #55: HK$8,000 No Limit Hold'em Asia Championship, HK$8M GTD
141st $4,234
2020 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Event #48: $1,500 MILLIONAIRE MAKER, $5M GTD, $1M to 1st
47th $11,104
2020 WPT World Online Championships
Event #3: $3,200 8-Max Championship, $3m GTD
16th $24,851
2020 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Event #32: $100 The Opener [Final Day], $2M GTD
2342nd $282
PokerStars SCOOP 2020
SCOOP-96-H: $5,200 NLHE [8-Max, Main Event 2nd Chance], $1.5M Gtd
15th $27,543
PokerStars SCOOP 2020
SCOOP-96-M: $530 NLHE [8-Max, Main Event 2nd Chance], $1,5M Gtd
244th $2,079
PokerStars SCOOP 2020
SCOOP-62-M: $530 NLHE [8-Max, PKO, Thursday Thrill SE], $1M Gtd
96th $1,152
PokerStars SCOOP 2020
SCOOP-15-H: $2,100 NLHE [Sunday HR SE], $1M Gtd
26th $7,902
2019 World Series of Poker
Event #79: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em
61st $5,796
2017 World Series of Poker
Event #73: $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em MAIN EVENT - World Championship
1001st $15,000
2013 World Series of Poker
Event #62: $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event
33rd $229,281

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